The hype surrounding WNBA celebrity Caitlin Clark is aware of no bounds.
And time and time once more, she continues to shine brighter than the buildup and ship a rewarding expertise for followers. Wednesday was no totally different.
1000’s of followers flocked to The Pelican Golf Membership in Bellair, Florida, the positioning of this week’s ANNIKA, the penultimate occasion of the 2024 LPGA season. However followers had been there to not watch the LPGA’s finest get their final day of follow in; no, they got here to look at Clark play within the Professional-Am.
“It’s nice that she’s right here. Very grateful to her to take the time to be a part of our occasion. She’s only a very nice individual, right down to earth. She’s an athlete, you’ll be able to inform,” stated Annika Sorenstam, the match host who gained 10 main championships throughout her illustrious LPGA profession.
“I like all of the younger women with the indicators. Nothing we’d actually see on a traditional Wednesday. It’s simply nice how she brings consideration to the match.”
Many had been on-site as early as 6:30 a.m. to look at Clark warmup. She teed off half-hour later, with a large gallery following her and World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who performed the entrance 9 with Clark. The previous Iowa Hawkeye standout then performed the ultimate 9 holes with Sorenstam.
“It was so enjoyable. Clearly, attending to see them do what they do up entrance is like individuals would pay for that. I acquired to do it without cost and have enjoyable with them,” Clark stated after.
“Positively a enjoyable morning. Really feel very grateful that Gainbridge (match sponsor) had me out right here. Clearly, their assist for ladies’s sports activities is great. Very fortunate and lucky. Hung in there; did all proper. It was day.”
A 16-handicapper, Clark revealed on Tuesday that her greatest purpose for the week was not breaking 100; as a substitute, she wished to keep away from hitting a fan. She got here near doing so on the par-3 third gap, the place her tee shot nearly drilled a number of spectators lined outdoors the ropes. However in response to Brentley Romine of the Golf Channel, her purpose lasted eight holes after she tugged her hybrid on the ninth. Her wayward shot did catch a bystander, who walked away with a Caitlin Clark-signed golf ball—a stable comfort prize for a fast dose of ache and a bruise that will final a number of days.
“She was simply actually having fun with it. You possibly can inform. She’s undoubtedly very gifted. She was choosing the ball actually clear,” Korda stated of Clark.
“She was dropping a few pictures to the suitable, however I requested her what number of instances every week she performs, and I feel with the quantity of obligations she has, she most likely will get to the golf course as soon as every week. So for enjoying as soon as every week, she was enjoying very well.”
Sorenstam agreed with Korda’s evaluation, including that she “simply must play” extra to enhance her sport. However as with every participant’s spherical, Clark did produce some highlights. She holed an extended putt early, which elicited a large fist pump from the WNBA’s reigning Rookie of the Yr.
But, the largest spotlight of the day was your entire spectacle itself. Clark beloved each second and embraced the followers all through. She even signed numerous autographs after her spherical, proving that girls’s sports activities proceed to soar in reputation.
“I like that she has a love for the sport of golf,” Korda stated of Clark.
“I feel it’s simply rising the curiosity in all of ladies’s sports activities. I hope that’s what grows from this relationship.”
It little doubt will, as Wednesday’s festivities are additional proof of that time.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By. Be sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
